The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone
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Wireless earbuds are one of those ideas that sounded like a dream at first. Pop a little headphone into each ear and listen to music or take calls untethered from everything. The first wireless buds were gigantic, died after a few hours, and had a bunch of other problems. Times have changed. There are now tons of new models that sound fabulous and work perfectly, including plenty for well under $100. After testing hundreds of pairs of wireless earbuds over the past few years, these are our favorites, in a wide range of styles and prices.
For more top picks, check out our other audio guides, like the Best Wireless Headphones, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Workout Earbuds, and Best Wired Headphones.
Updated October 2024: We've added the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, the Sony Linkbuds Open, the JLab Audio Go Air Pop, and an Honorable Mention of the Sony Linkbuds Fit.
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- Photograph: Parker Hall
The Best Earbuds for Most People
Nothing Ear (a)It has taken a lot for me to recommend a pair of ostensibly AirPods Pro clones as the best earbuds for most people, but that speaks to just how much I actually like the Nothing Ear (a) (8/10, WIRED Recommends). These stylish little yellow earbuds come in a sleek clear charging case, and they have excellent sound and decent noise cancellation for under $100 retail. I liked how easily they paired with Android and iOS devices and that the lightweight, compact design helped them stay comfortable during longer listening sessions. The larger, more expensive Nothing Ear are also good, but they don't quite match the Ear (a)’s svelte figure.
Usability is excellent; these have some of the best touch controls I've used on a pair of earphones, and you'll get 5.5 hours of listening time with noise canceling blocking out the world around you. You can even dive into the app to customize the EQ if, for example, you want to hear dialog better when streaming your favorite movies.
Best Noise Canceling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsWe’ve said this before, and by God, we’re going to say it again: If you want absolutely, positively the most effective noise-canceling around, buy a pair of Bose. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are simply untouchable. The noise-canceling leaves you free to enjoy their naturalistic, vivid sound, without leaving even the faintest trace of counter-signal or any other indication of how hard they must be working. If you want to leave the outside world behind while you’re enjoying your favorite tunes, these are the earbuds for you. —Simon Lucas
- Photograph: Apple; Getty Images
Best for iPhones
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (With USB-C)The latest AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) come with USB-C in the charging case and a revamped audio architecture, but otherwise they're identical to the previous generation. Along with six hours of juice and a case with a speaker to help use Apple's “Find My” feature, they have touch controls for quick volume adjustments.
Noise-canceling and call quality are among the top of the market, and make these excellent for both work and play. Plus, a new IP54 rating means they're resistant to both dust and water (great for gym rats). Updates with iOS 17 mean that existing AirPods owners and new buyers alike can enjoy new transparency features, including the ability to have the headphones turn down the volume automatically when they detect you speaking. This is great for those who hate removing an earbud for a quick chat, although I've found it as more of a wake-up call to how much I speak to my pets. If you own an iPhone and like to listen to songs at home or on the go, these are a really great choice.
- Photograph: Google
Best for Android
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2Google's new Pixel Buds Pro 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are itty-bitty earbuds that pair perfectly with whatever Android phone you have. They're super comfortable, have excellent noise canceling, and boast nearly double (eight hours) the battery life of comparable AirPods Pro. You can choose between digital assistants, and you can even open Google's Gemini Live conversational AI with the catch phrase “Hey Google, let's talk.” Sound quality is among the best in the category, with clear highs and a nice helping of punch in the bass without being overwhelming. They're also IP54 rated, which makes them a carefree addition to your gym bag.
- Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Best Under $30
JLab Audio Go Pop ANCJLab continues its budget-buy dominance with the Go Pop ANC, a shockingly loaded pair for less than a takeout dinner for two. The big headline at this price is noise canceling that's strong enough to significantly relieve low rumbles like HVACs and even high-register noises with music playing. I was even more impressed with the transparency mode, which does a great job balancing music and podcasts with environmental sounds.
You’re also getting surprisingly clear and balanced sound, IP55 water and dust resistance, and loads of features, from an adjustable EQ and programmable controls via the JLab app to strong battery life and even multipoint pairing. In testing, I noticed some minor connection hiccups (oddly confined to one area of my neighborhood), and the case’s tiny USB-C cable is more hindrance than help. But did I mention these cost just under $30? Whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking to dip a toe into the wireless waters, you simply won’t find more for less.
- Photograph: Sony
Best Open Earbuds
Sony Linkbuds OpenThe Linkbuds Open (7/10, WIRED Recommends) look a lot like the previous Linkbuds. Their key feature is a ring-shaped driver that lets you jam out while staying naturally aware of your environment, from supermarket announcements to local traffic. The latest pair provides a more stable fit and added battery life, going from 5.5 hours to around eight hours per charge (with more in the case). Sound quality is still limited, with more bass but less overall crispness, but new built-in voice commands help supplement the limited touch controls for hands-free playback. There are plenty of more versatile earbuds out there, but if you're looking to seamlessly mix your internal and external worlds in any situation, these are among the best you’ll find.
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- Photograph: Adrienne So
Most Secure Fit
Beats Fit ProThe Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the same H1 chip featured inside the older Apple AirPods Pro but pack a much more comfortable and ergonomic design that stays put in nearly any scenario. Add to that the six hours of battery life with active noise canceling turned on and some of the best sound we've heard south of the $200 mark, and you've found yourself some of the best workout earbuds for the iPhone, and beyond.
These buds work well with Android devices too, thanks to an app that allows you to adjust the functions of the buttons and take a fit test. You even get style options with your choice of four colors, ranging from stark white to pinkish purple.
- Photograph: Sennheiser
Best for Sound Quality
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4Sennheiser's Momentum earbuds line has had its ups and downs, including battery issues with the previous generation of these buds, the Momentum True Wireless 3. One thing that's never been in doubt, however, is their sound quality. The fourth-gen Momentum (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are simply superb for anything you want to play, from podcasts to Prince. They offer the best detail, definition, dynamics, and overall poise of any buds in their class.
In design, they draw from the same well as their predecessors, which means they're rather bulky, especially their felt case. But their interior design has been fully upgraded, including an all-new battery system, and a firmware update fixed the noisy transparency mode I experienced at launch. Their high price also lands you solid noise canceling, ample battery life, and plenty of features. These aren't the best everything buds, but if great sound is your destination, they'll be your North Star. —Ryan Waniata
- Photograph: Bowers & Wilkins
Best Premium Buds
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8Deft, absorbing sound is the centerpiece of acclaimed audio brand Bowers & Wilkins’ Pi8 earbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends). These premium phones cost a pretty penny, but they reward you with excellent noise canceling, bold audio reproduction, and a useful retransmission case feature, which lets you plug the case into a source and transmit to the earbuds. This makes these perfect for travels, where sometimes planes, trains, and automobiles don't have a built-in Bluetooth connection. Call quality is great, thanks to the same beamforming mics that are used to block out the outside world. If you're a businessperson who doesn't want to lug around over-ear noise-canceling headphones, these might be the ticket.
- Photograph: Sony
Best for Travel
Sony WF-1000XM5Sony's fifth generation WF-1000XM5 (7/10, WIRED Review) earbuds are again the best it has ever made, with a more sculpted and ergonomic case, as well as some of the best noise reduction I've ever heard from a pair of regularly sized wireless earbuds (read: everything other than the bulky Bose models). They cost a bit more than the outgoing XM4 model, but these new headphones boast some of the most advanced functionality in terms of EQ, touch controls, and adaptive noise canceling available on the market. They even sound decent on calls.
You get eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on, 12 with it off, and two additional full charges in the wireless charging case (which happens to be one of the sleeker cases on the market).
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- Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Best for Multitaskers
Technics EAH-AZ80Technics' EAH-AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the ability to pair to three different devices at once, which makes this high-end workhorse pair the best we've found for those who tend to be bouncing between phone and Zoom calls.
Beyond that party trick, they also have excellent noise canceling and multiple ear tip shapes and sizes for a comfortable fit. Sound is superb, with the sleek buds offering a clear and precise stereo image—WIRED staffer Ryan Waniata says these are among his overall favorites for sheer audio performance.
- Photograph: JLab Audio
Best for Small Ears
JLab Audio JBuds MiniThese teeny tiny earbuds from JLab are meant to be stored on your keychain, allowing you to always have a pair of headphones in a pinch. But I like them for another reason: They're perfect for all the small-eared folks who complain they can't get a good fit from a pair of wireless headphones.
At $40, these are worth a shot for anyone who can't seem to find a pair small enough for them. They even come in five cool colors, which makes them easy to match your vibe. An IP55 rating keeps them safe from dust and water, with three sizes of tips to make sure they seal well in your ears. The only downside? Battery life, which is just 5.5 hours per charge, or 20 hours total with the case.
- Photograph: Grado
For Headphone Nerds
Grado GT220If you want an audiophile-like wireless listening experience, check out this no-frills pair from Grado Labs. The Brooklyn brand is known for its excellent headphones and turntable cartridges and has now branched out to truly wireless earbuds. The GT220 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are comfortable, ergonomic, and deliver a quality version of the company's transparent sound. What's more, WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says they fit so well you don't need noise canceling.
An IPX4 rating and six hours of battery life outside the included charging case are respectable specs, and they look nondescript enough to take with you anywhere, unlike Grado's larger, flashier headphones.
- Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Other Pro Earbuds for Less
Anker Soundcore Space A40These sub-$100 earbuds from Anker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) boast noise canceling, wireless charging, and up to 10 hours of battery life when they're in your ears. That's a lot of features for such cheap earbuds. Pair that with decent overall sound quality and a comfortable and lightweight design and they nearly give Apple's AirPods Pro a run for their money. If you need a pair of noise-canceling earbuds but don't want to spend three figures, these are the best we've tried. Too bad they're not as stylish as the Nothing Ear (a).
- Photograph: Shokz
An Earbuds Alternative
Shokz OpenRun ProWIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft loved his time with the Shokz OpenRun Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which wraps around your head and uses bone conduction technology to let you hear music and the outside world. Reviewer Parker Hall likes the smaller footprint of the above Sony LinkBuds, but these have a more secure design and come with 10 hours of battery life for extra-long workouts.
Photograph: Bowers & WilkinsHonorable Mentions
Other Buds We LikeEvery month seems to bring new sets of earbuds with longer battery life and more compact designs. As such, we can't list everything we like. But if you're still hunting, here are some other recommendations.
Sony Linkbuds Fit for $200: Sony’s Linkbuds Fit offer rich and punchy sound, naturalistic transparency mode, and a light and comfy fit, helping them live up to their intent as a “wear anywhere” solution. They provide some solid features, but skimp on battery life with just 5.5 hours per charge and their noise canceling is just OK. Their reliance on flimsy silicone sleeves and oddly unresponsive touch controls further diminishes their value, but they're still Sony buds and could be worth nabbing on sale.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for $100-200: The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are getting older, but they're still among the best buds to pair with a Samsung phone. They don't have the multi-device connectivity of our top pick for Android users, and their five-hour battery is looking pretty short these days, but they provide excellent sound quality, IPX7 waterproofing, and a distinctive design that doesn't just ape the AirPods Pro. That makes them well worth considering on sale.
Pixel Buds A Series for $99: These used to be our top pick for most people, but they're now overshadowed by other affordable options that also include things like noise canceling. If you can find a pair on sale, they're still worth snagging, especially if you have an Android phone.
Oneplus Nord Buds 3 Pro for $150: These comfortable, lightweight earbuds have multipoint pairing, which makes them great for folks who like to work with a laptop and cell phone at the same time (7/10, WIRED Recommends). We didn't like their control layout and thought that noise canceling was just OK. Also, they're just another pair of AirPods clones, design-wise.
Soundpeats Air4 for $80: Soundpeats' Air4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) may be obvious AirPods Pro knockoffs, but they're very good knockoffs for the money. You won't get top-flight performance, let alone Apple exclusives like Find My support or iCloud sharing, but you will get good sound and features, including decent noise canceling, at a massive discount. While these aren't a top choice, they're a great budget buy, especially on sale.
Montblanc MTB 03 for $395: These earbuds are priced out of reach for most buyers, but if you've got the cash, you'll be rewarded with a luxury experience worthy of the brand. Montblanc has called in some heavy hitters from the audio industry to design and voice these buds. The result is a small, comfortable, and quite flashy-looking pair of wireless earbuds that sound really impressive.
Apple/Beats Powerbeats Pro for $180: Apple's beefy Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) provide a super-secure fit, sound far better than Apple's standard AirPods or Beats pairs before them, and squeeze an impressive nine hours of life out of a charge. They're getting long in the tooth and forego now-standard extras like transparency mode and ANC, but could still be worth consideration for those after a seriously stable fit.
Raycon Everyday Earbuds for $80: These YouTuber-beloved earbuds are actually a decent cheap pair (7/10, WIRED Review). They are small and light, and they come with an IPX6 rating, which makes them great for workouts.
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport for $299: The Sport are a great option that come with active noise canceling and a striking design, but the high price keeps them out of the reach of most people.
Photograph: Daniel Lozano Gonzalez/Getty ImagesHow We Define Wireless Earbuds
An ExplainerWe've seen this category go by many names: true wireless earbuds, truly wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, wirefree earbuds. These days, if a pair of earbuds connects to your phone/computer via Bluetooth and has no cord that connects the left bud to the right, we just call them wireless here at WIRED. Wireless sets typically come with two popcorn-sized buds, each with a battery inside, and a charging cradle that carries extra battery power and keeps them safe when you're not wearing ’em. Other kinds of wireless earbuds have a cable or neckband that connects the two buds together, usually found on workout earbuds.
Ridding yourself of all cords can feel liberating, but these do come with issues, such as limited battery life (don't buy any with less than five hours), confusing controls, and reliance on a charging case. They're also easier to lose than traditional earbuds, and replacing one bud can be expensive.
Photograph: AppleEarbuds to Avoid
Why Didn't We Include AirPods?As a general rule, you should avoid earbuds that don't support the Bluetooth 5.0 standard (or higher) or don't offer at least five hours of battery life. Batteries in wireless headphones degrade over time, so the better your battery life is at first, the more tolerable it will be in two to three years.
Apple's standard AirPods (first, second, or third gen) for $89: These headphones do some things well, we just don't like them all that much. (Read our review.) They get OK battery life, come in a compact case, and work well for calls, but they don't fit all ears well, and since they don't have eartips or wings, you're out of luck if they're loose. Want clear, high-fidelity music? Get another pair on this list or the AirPods Pro (see above), which cost a bit more but are legitimately great headphones.
Beats Solo Buds for $80: These are lackluster in every possible way (6/10, WIRED Review), especially when it comes to features for the money. It's odd, because we like other headphones from the brand, but that's the rub.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 for $180: A Cybertrucked pair of AirPods clones (5/10, WIRED Review), the headphones in the new Galaxy Buds line work worse than they already look. With no eartips, these are uncomfortable to wear for long periods, and the noise canceling is all but useless.
